The 100 Best Happy Hardcore Hits Ever: A Wild Ride Through Gabber and Good Vibes
If you’re the kind of person who thinks “happy” and “hardcore” don’t belong in the same sentence, The 100 Best Happy Hardcore Hits Ever is here to slap that notion right outta your brain. Released in 2011 by Cloud 9 Dance (a label clearly vibing with the Dutch electronic scene), this album is like a caffeine-fueled rave stuffed into a USB stick. With DJ Mix wizardry from Arjan Rietvink Productions and mastering so sharp it could cut glass, this compilation delivers exactly what its title promises—100 tracks of gabber-infused madness, happy hardcore euphoria, and enough energy to power a small city.
Let’s get one thing straight: no sane human being listens to all 100 tracks in one sitting unless they’ve got an iron bladder and zero responsibilities. But hey, if you dip your toes into this chaotic pool of beats, there are some real gems worth shouting about.
Take “Leave Me In The Dark (Project Hardcore 2010 Anthem)”, for example. This track hits harder than your ex’s text at 3 AM. It’s got that classic happy hardcore vibe—pounding kicks, melodic synths that sound like angels on Red Bull, and vocals dripping with drama. You’ll either wanna cry or punch the air while screaming along. I remember this one because it feels like someone bottled up teenage angst, shook it up, and sprayed it across a dancefloor. Pure chaos, but in the best way possible.
Then there’s “We Got The Juice”, which sounds like what would happen if Mario Kart threw a party with Daft Punk as DJs. The bassline slaps harder than your grandma’s lasagna, and the build-ups? Chef’s kiss. Every time I hear it, I half-expect Bowser to show up demanding royalties. It’s catchy as hell and makes me want to grab a glowstick—or five—and lose my mind.
Now, let’s talk credits for a sec. Kudos to Bart Hartman for designing something that probably looks as wild as the music sounds. And props to Arjan Rietvink Productions for not just mixing but mastering these tunes—you can tell he didn’t phone it in. These guys knew their audience: people who live for fast tempos, fist-pumping drops, and lyrics that make absolutely no sense but somehow still resonate.
Here’s the kicker though—this isn’t just another throwaway compilation. Sure, it’s packed with nostalgia for anyone who lived through the ‘90s rave era, but even newbies will find themselves bobbing their heads like pigeons on espresso shots. Tracks like “Bulletproof,” “Hardcore Gangster,” and “Alles Kapot” remind you why the Netherlands remains the spiritual home of hardcore music. They don’t mess around over there—they go full throttle or GTFO.
But honestly, after diving headfirst into this whirlwind of bangers, I found myself wondering: why do we love music that hurts our ears in the best way possible? Is it rebellion? Escapism? Or maybe we’re all just adrenaline junkies looking for legal highs. Whatever the reason, albums like The 100 Best Happy Hardcore Hits Ever prove that sometimes, louder really is better.
So crank this bad boy up, clear some space in your living room, and prepare to sweat more than a snowman in July. Just don’t blame me when your neighbors start banging on the walls—or joining in.
